Cheondung goes solo
Cheondung poses in a promotional photo for his mini-solo album titled “Thunder,” released Dec. 7. / Courtesy of Mystic Entertainment
By Kim Ji-soo
Former MBLAQ member Cheondung, 26, has released a mini-solo album titled “Thunder,” featuring five songs.
Seven years after debuting in an all-boy idol group and spending about two years on his own with a new agency, Cheondung seemed to relish his return to the stage.
“It feels new, releasing a solo album and it feels good,” Cheondung said in a press conference held Tuesday in Seoul. “But I cannot deny the burden of standing here by myself, in a departure from being part of a group.”
Cheondung re-signed early last year with Mystic Entertainment when his contract with the agency as a member of MBLAQ ended. Since then, he has also worked as an actor under his real name Park Sang-hyun, appearing in such dramas as MBC’s “Make a Woman Cry” (2015). He repeatedly thanked everyone for coming to his showcase held at Ilchi Art Hall in Cheongdam-dong, southern Seoul.
The album has five songs — “Look at Me,” “Sign,” “Good,” Magic Spell” and “In Time” that he either co-wrote or took part in producing. He has more songs written but decided to release just the five this time. While in the group, he released solo singles such as “Gone” in 2014, but this is his full-fledged attempt to stand completely alone.
Cheondung sings the song “Sign” from his mini-album “Thunder. / Courtesy of Mystic Entertainment
He did not hesitate to refer to Michael Jackson as the “textbook of my music,” which he tried to reflect in the five songs. The former MBLAQ member was also dressed in attire that resembled Jackson’s stage outfit.
“You can see this as my homage to Jackson,” Cheondung said, repeating how he was the musical textbook in that he attempted all genres of music.
Now signed with the entertainment agency led by singer Yoon Jong-shin, Cheondung said he was given the environment to write songs and lyrics, and to produce with producer Cho Yeong-cheol. He also included two rising rappers, Basic and Giant Pink, on the album. He joins an array of former or current K-pop idols going solo. Former Girls’ Generation member Jessica Jung this week released her second mini-album “Wonderland.” HyunA, after her group 4minute disbanded, struck out on her own this year. Members still with their groups such as Hyoyeon of Girls’ Generation and Jun. K of 2 p.m. have also gone solo, temporarily, this year. Members of the girl group f(x) and boy group SHINee have also illustrated their individual talents as well.
At Tuesday’s showcase, the music video for “Sign” was revealed, then Cheondung performed the song live as well as his mostly still-with-it dance moves.
Throughout the showcase, Cheondung stressed the musical freedom he had as a solo artist which he put forth in the album.
Among the five songs, “Magic Spell” portrayed the singer’s struggles as he was preparing to go solo. He said he worked hard on improving his vocals, receiving lessons. On his style of writing music, he said he likes to work alone. He said former MBLAQ members who are aware of his love for writing music encouraged him with his solo career.
Cheondung, who is the younger brother of Sandara Park, the former 2NE1 member, said his sister volunteered to appear in the music video of the song “Sign.” Before she debuted in 2NE1, Sandara was a star in the Philippines.
In “Sign,” a song about a man and a woman sending mixed signals, he said he found it hard to film a pseudo-kiss scene in front of his sister.
“You know, it really wasn’t a kiss scene, but I sweated a bit as I had to film it in front of a family member,” he said.
He is hoping there will be opportunities to perform the song “Sign” in a duet with a female singer. Asked to name the female singer he most wanted to sing with, he cited Yoon Mi-rae, one of Korea’s top female rappers.
After promoting the album in Korea, he is expected to go overseas to meet international fans.